Telegram-herald., 1887-12-25
ALMOAD-EYED TANKS
Our ~ sANF1= BUSINESS MEN.
ssz~-se~nsz~s lap 49, ~ - oeeu2 2stEons
-Eszxasixfsy . Hsnas-Asvtnx seoPl<--
gspznsss hzsizsss Houses IN This
Csanfry--fa . Wholesaie store.

Ss4rrf<z nszr1 Jsts 49, ~ - oeea stsohs
- -Essxasixisy Hsns-hsvinx seopi<--
yspznsks sssizss@ Houses IN This
Csan1ry-ss wholssais ssore-
sHas IL occurred 20 you. said gentleman
- = reporter, Is a couple q japanese gen
Eseaaen walked up Broadway with their
characteristics RAPID stride, ssfhat anlong all
tbs nstlous resareseated on American soil IL
may be except lozaily recorded of the Jap
anese that not one has been convicted Of .
great eriaslssal ofIeRss ia an American court'
The reportss .as uazbie 20 state 70 the
contrary, and cuFsoFy examination shows
that save an occasional misieraeanor result
ing from undue familiarity with John Bar
leyeorfs, aud confined chiefly TO the japanese
sailors .hO now aud then visit the Pacific
coast, the page Is clean whsreon may 10
written any tIsnsgression OF the law. IL Is
true that there are comparatively few in the
country, probably not more than 500 or 500,
but these stand out IN such sharp contrast
vita Ihs Chinese as TO command unqualified
respect.
Since the expedition Of Commodore Perry
Ia 1875, undertaken for the purpose OF estab-
hshing friendly and commercial relations
with hitherto comparatively unknown en-
psre, the japanese have been remarkable in
their eageFaess 10 break down ali tke ancient
barriers BY which they were restrained at
home ssld adapt themselves % the manners
and customs OF western civilization. In New
York they constitute little colony of their
own, but they live in elegantly furnished
houses, dress with n taste indicative OF tho
utmost refinement, are enterprising IN busi-
ness and in every respect model American
citizens. They are eitaer merchants engaged
IN the importation and sale OF raw silk, tea,
LACQUER work and japanese bric-a-brac, or
are students ia some of eur colleges prepar-
ing TO introduce our arts and sciences at
home, or they occupy Official government po-
sitions, in imitation OF American customs.
They have coy club room. where they as
seInble after the cares of the day 10 inter-
change views, and there is not more exclu-
sive body Of gentlemen in the city.
JAPANESE PEcULIARITIEs.
Keenress of observation is one of the pecu-
liarities of the japanese Having started in
the race, it is their ambition 10 keep abreast
OF the progress Of civilization, and hence you
viii find them patrons OF the best literary,
mechanical, railway ard agricultural maya
!
American politics. On practical subjects
they are better posted than the majority OF
our own people, Another peculiarity is that
the nation is more homogeneous than even
the Germans, and hence you find kind of
paternal supervision exercised over them by
| tho consuls who represent their government.
Each member of the little family in the
United States is known at official headquar-
FL
ord Of addresses one may learn the where
abouts OF any Of the permanently located
japanese in the country. For instance, ono
is in Cornell studying physics, anotaer in
Harvard in the law class, a third in Chicago
pondering over the intricacies of the railway
system. a fourth in Iowa studying the sci-
ence Of agriculture, and so on. Nor do these
| energetic people come here unpTepared. Be-
| forc leaving Japan they had already ac-
| quircd the rudimehts of education and laid
| the foundation for the higher knowledge
| which they intend to make available in their
own country.
a reporter in making inquiries, learned of
a japanese gentleman that it was much
| easier for an American to learn the japanese
tongue than for japanese to master the
| English. ALTHOUGH he continued, tour
1t contains forty y-eight letters, and these en-
able Us TO pronounce with more or less ac-
curacy any Of the languages of civilization.
| From ancient times, however, having used
/ the Chinese character, the two languages
having become somewhat intermixed, but we
are trying TO remove tho Chinese character
| istics, and in the hope 70 have a form of writ
ten and spoken speech that will be distinc-
| lively our own.'
'sWhy is it, continued the reporter, ''that
we see so few of the working people-the
| laboring classes from your country
| II presume" was the reply, it is because
they find abundant employment at homo.
Besides, it is contrars to our public policy to
foster prolniscuous legislation such az you
have in America. Our people are essentially
| homo loving. Although there are number
| Of japanese sailors who come to San Fran.
cisco and other ports-and am proud to say
they arc regarded as the most efficient sailors
in the world-they seem to prefer their own
country, and il certainly is beautiful and at
l tractive, because it is ancient, highly cult
waited, rich in scenery and works Of archi
lecture thar are the wonder Of travellers, and
moro than all, productive OF everything that
supports life and gives content"
| BUSINESS HOUSES
| "How many business houses are there ir
this countryT~ asked tho reporter.
Il cannot accurately tell, but in this city
| there are two or three establishments
branches Of the Doshin Silk company and
f! the Nippon Mercantile company and scvera
! firms engaged in the importation of por
celain, lacquer work fancy goods, toys anc
other articles of japanese manufacture
: There are also japanese houses ia Boston
Philadelphia, San Francisco and many
places whore our merchandise is sold by
Americans or foreigners who have theil
representatives in Japan"
An hour spent in japanese wholesal.
store is as interesting as a visit to a museum
The clerks ia astenzaSce are young men
usually under 20 years Of age. and viii
rare poIiteaess and aliaost wemanIy gentle
nes seem to take plessstrc in describinz ia.
various articles Of use or virtu IN toe estab
Eishment They never press anything upoI
{ an unwilling customer The shelves ans
counters are crowded with objects novel n
color, form and construction. illustrating to
skill Of the makers. ana eveTTthing i
! arranged with tastefuIaess and eye TO e1sec
that Is simply superb.
"JadgEg from Appearances, the Japaaes
hare com0 to stay, sand the reporter at th
end 81 BIS iatesvieF.
YES wss the soft voiced reply Of tn
bropvn faced little gentleman I've admir-
Americans and their country Bat for then
We should probably not BE hsre today, O
have changed orr custon7s or sdopte,
50 naanv Il the Improvements of IN
western world thai have promoted GA
prosperis- a ratss.n.--Nsw Torx Ssar.